Amtrak has released a study on behalf of the Iowa Department of Transportation concerning the feasibility of passenger-rail service from the Quad Cities to Iowa City on a route originating from Chicago. Annual ridership on the full route is estimated at approximately 187,000 passengers, based on two daily round trips and track improvements being made to allow maximum speeds of 79 miles per hour. The states of Iowa and Illinois would share the capital-investment costs, and the estimated annual Amtrak operating-contract expense of roughly $6 million. The estimated cost to upgrade the railroad infrastructure in this example is $54.9 million. Reports and maps concerning this study are available at (http://www.iowadot.gov/amtrakstudy/).
Genesius Guild is offering an internship program for 10 high-school students in technical theatre this summer. Each student will work for two weeks learning backstage technical skills. No previous theatre experience is needed. Opportunities will include set-building, lighting, sound production, prop construction, costuming, stage management, and theatre management. Each intern will earn a small stipend. The application form can be downloaded at (http://www.genesius.org).
It's time for the third-annual Teen "Battle of the Bands" contest at the Davenport Public Library. Seven local teen bands will be chosen to compete for cash prizes and upcoming gigs at a public concert on Wednesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. at the Fairmount Street Library (3000 North Fairmount Street). To be one of the chosen bands, pick up an entry form at the Main or Fairmount Street libraries, or at the City of Davenport Parks & Recreation Office. Entry forms must be returned to the library by June 18. There is a $20 entry fee, but all bands will receive a participation prize. If you have any questions about eligibility requirements or the entry form, contact the Youth Services Department at (563) 326-7893.
Volunteers are needed for the ASA 18-Under Girls Nationals, a week-long event from Monday, July 28, to Sunday, August 3. The tournament will require roughly 150 volunteers, with the biggest needs for scorekeepers, announcers, and people manning the admissions gate, parking lots, the information booth, and the hospitality tent. Volunteer shifts usually run four hours. If you are interested in volunteering, visit (http://www.molineasa.com) and click on "Volunteers" on the left side of the page. For more information, contact Bruce Dalfonso at (309) 792-0155.
ASSE International Student Exchange is looking for 20 to 25 Quad Cities host families to be part of its program starting in July. Students will be participating in structured classes and language and cultural-enrichment activities before starting high school either locally or across the nation. Families are needed to host students from Asian and European countries. For more information, call Molli Barker at (563) 676-3020.
University of Illinois Extension is seeking local businesses and organizations with an interest in locally grown products such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and meats. If your business and the customers you serve have a demand for these locally grown products, University of Illinois Extension invites you or a representative of your business to attend a "Locally Grown Opportunities" conference at Augustana College on Friday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Peter Chege at (309) 792-2500. You may register for the conference by visiting (http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland) or calling (309) 796-0512.
Officials from the administration of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich last week announced an expansion of the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Initiative to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. Available refinancing funds have now reached $310 million. For more information, visit (http://www.ihda.org).
Borders will collect new children's books purchased by customers through May 3 and donate them locally to the Boys & Girls Club - Mississippi Valley to encourage children to read.
St. Ambrose University is hosting its first star party of the season at the S.G. Menke Observatory near Dixon, Iowa, on Saturday, May 3, beginning at sunset. The observatory's on-site telescopes will be available for sky viewing; guests are welcome to bring portable telescopes, as well. The star-party viewing is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Robert Mitchell at (563) 333-6141. On the day of the event, the same number can be called for a recorded message that will either confirm the event or report a weather-related cancellation. For directions to the observatory, go to (http://www.sau.edu/astronomy/menke).
The Scott County Board of Supervisors last week appointed Wes Rostenbach as county auditor to fill the vacancy created by the death of longtime Auditor Karen Fitzsimmons. The appointment will last until the general election this fall. Rostenbach was until the appointment the accounting and tax manager in the auditor's office.
